First Cow

A24 | Release Date: March 6, 2020

6.9	USER SCORE Generally favorable reviews based on 126 Ratings

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User Reviews

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HerickDienerDec 21, 2020

É impressionante como um filme tão minimalista nos passa tantas mensagens sobre o capitalismo e outras questões. A bela fotografia de Christopher Blauvelte te insere na história, e a diretora Kelly Reichardt foi cirúrgica na cena final.É impressionante como um filme tão minimalista nos passa tantas mensagens sobre o capitalismo e outras questões. A bela fotografia de Christopher Blauvelte te insere na história, e a diretora Kelly Reichardt foi cirúrgica na cena final. Espetacular!… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

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GuillermothecowJul 22, 2020

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Muúuuuuuuuu mejor pelicula de vacas epicas moo una vaca una ..una laca vaca… Expand

1 of 3 users found this helpful12

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cjhandleyJul 14, 2020

A lot of people attempting to read politics into a movie that isn't political...not everything has to be "woke." Sometimes a good story is just a good story.

2 of 7 users found this helpful25

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LatinCritic13Mar 6, 2020

A movie about a man and his cow and who wouldn't that this is one of the best films I have ever seen in a long time. You got definitely had me there with that one A24.

3 of 13 users found this helpful310

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truerockMar 14, 2021

So, if you have arrived on earth from an alternate dimension and had never heard of Kelly Reichardt and then immediately went to view First Cow... you would probably think, "What the heck am I watching?".

This is obviously not a particularlySo, if you have arrived on earth from an alternate dimension and had never heard of Kelly Reichardt and then immediately went to view First Cow... you would probably think, "What the heck am I watching?".

This is obviously not a particularly approachable film. It is not for mainstream audiences. There are no car chase scenes. There are no assault rifle gun fire. There is no bodice-ripping hot sex. So, you are probably thinking, "Why would I want to watch this movie?". The answer for most people, "You do not want to watch this movie".

Nevertheless, there is a large number of individuals who find Kelly Reichardt movies mesmerizing.

Rather than trying to explain it to others, I would suggest you try one of her movies out and see if it is the kind of thing you enjoy. I'll forewarn, it is a visual experience more than auditory. So, be prepared to carefully take in the visual and realize there is not a lot of talking.

Perhaps start with "Night Moves" which is probably her most approachable film and gradually work your way to something like "First Cow".

Personally, I am so glad there is room for Kelly Reichardt to make her films.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

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bertobellamyNov 29, 2020

With a simple story about an improbable friendship in the midst of a country's birth, director Kelly Reichardt and writer Jonathan Raymond remind us about the meaning of prosperity in the U.S.A., where everything was taken away from its trueWith a simple story about an improbable friendship in the midst of a country's birth, director Kelly Reichardt and writer Jonathan Raymond remind us about the meaning of prosperity in the U.S.A., where everything was taken away from its true owners. Great acting, amazing photography, and a very warm story (as its oily cakes) make 'First Cow' a fine watch.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

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moviemitch96Jul 22, 2020

In this film, a late 1800s Oregon fur trapper meets and befriends a Chinese immigrant, and together, they decide to try and get ahead by secretly stealing the milk from a local cow owned by a wealthy landowner in order to make cakes andIn this film, a late 1800s Oregon fur trapper meets and befriends a Chinese immigrant, and together, they decide to try and get ahead by secretly stealing the milk from a local cow owned by a wealthy landowner in order to make cakes and pastries out of it to sell to people. It's a small and intimant film with a simple premise, but it's still very effective thanks largely in part by the two lead performances and chemistry of John Magaro and Orion Lee as fur trapper Cookie and humble immigrant King-Lu respectively. Their onscreen friendship is undeniably charming to watch, and I found myself rooting for them in their strive for a better and more prosperous life from start to finish. From a technical aspect, the film is beautifully shot, even settling for a smaller aspect ratio in order to better fit with the times it's portraying, and each shot in the film almost appears as an old photograph come to life. It moves a little slow and takes its time, but in doing so, it manages to illustrate the quest for prosperity and simple pleasures in a unique way and is shown in a time period not seen too often in film. Overall, it's a slow and simple yet ultimately humble period film that tells a nice friendship story while it's at it, making it worthwhile enough.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

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JLuis_001Jul 25, 2020

First Cow is a film that will put you in a trance if you decide to enjoy it that way.
It could certainly be said that even the most atmospheric films are still a means of entertaining, but even in the face of the excellent quality of theFirst Cow is a film that will put you in a trance if you decide to enjoy it that way.
It could certainly be said that even the most atmospheric films are still a means of entertaining, but even in the face of the excellent quality of the production, it will all be reduced to whether this is the kind of film you're looking for as entertainment.

Kelly Reichardt's new film is an adaptation of Jon Raymond's novel, The Half-Life. He also wrote the screenplay alongside Reichardt.
I honestly don't have any opinions on the novel because I didn't even know it, so I can't tell if the director's treatment was the right one but regardless of that fact, personally I think Reichardt delivered a great film.

First Cow favors tone and atmosphere over narrative, therefore I must emphasize that although the friendship story is the main engine of the film; The rhythm, the lack of dialogue and the way in which events unfold, are things that are more focused on your immersion in the situation rather than just observing it from a distance.

John Magaro and Orion Lee are completely in tune and both actors hold the film perfectly because as I said this is a story about friendship and because of the lack of dialogue, the only thing that makes that believable, are their expressions and emotions and they both do a pretty good job.

First Cow will reward your patience if you allow it to captivate you and you allow yourself to absorb its pace and story.

To me was a great film and is yet another strong addition for A24’s catalogue.… Expand

0 of 3 users found this helpful03

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kirkenderAug 1, 2020

Being human with each other can be one of the hardest things to do. First Cow is a glorious film. Masterful pacing. The world building is phenomenally engrossing. The film techniques are immaculate. The script is sparse and exacting. KellyBeing human with each other can be one of the hardest things to do. First Cow is a glorious film. Masterful pacing. The world building is phenomenally engrossing. The film techniques are immaculate. The script is sparse and exacting. Kelly Reichardt has been a film lover's filmmaker since the beginning of her career and she has me enthralled with her mastery of film language. Gosh dang it, give this movie your attention.… Expand

0 of 4 users found this helpful04

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sirrongNov 22, 2020

The kind of movie that is better the longer it sat with me. Won't be for those wanting an easy watch.

0 of 3 users found this helpful03

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Scott92Mar 16, 2020

First Cow deals with toxic masculinity and capitalism in a modern, delicate and effective way. The story is well-developed and the characters are authentic and lovely. Reichardt didn't disappoint me at all, one of her best movies so far.

0 of 11 users found this helpful011

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theredskySep 5, 2020

The film’s visual style is impressive but it’s story and pacing is what really drags this film down for me. The cinematography is the one aspect I found to be excellent. The framing is on point and impressive and it adds a lot to the film’sThe film’s visual style is impressive but it’s story and pacing is what really drags this film down for me. The cinematography is the one aspect I found to be excellent. The framing is on point and impressive and it adds a lot to the film’s style. The production design and costumes are also really good here too. These characters look and feel as if they in the 1820s. The performances are also great too. Each character feels believable and works to help tell the story of the film. Although I like all that, the pacing is not very good. It feels incredibly long and tedious without any real majorly satisfying payoff. It’s a 2 hour movie that feels like it goes on for 2 and a half hours. If they had cut down some of the scenes, this issue wouldn’t be as major as it is. There were some elements of the story I enjoyed and some I found to be pointless. If you like A24 then check it out but don’t have your hopes incredibly high for it.… Expand